Best Endangered Animal Safaris

White Lion

Why Endangered: Famed for their ghostly white coloring, white lions can no longer be found in the wild, and fewer than 300 live in zoos and circuses around the world. The white coloring (caused by a recessive gene) has made them a prized target of poachers and game hunters since they were first seen in the wild in South Africa in 1925.

Best Place to See: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, a luxurious nine-tent lodge in the Little Karoo desert, three hours’ drive northeast of Cape Town. The reserve introduced a pride of white lions six years ago with the aim of getting them to breed with regular tawny lions, so as to increase their chances of survival.

The Viewing: Guests go on standard twice-daily game drives accompanied by a ranger and tracker, and can also see cheetah and rhino. Book with Roar Africa to combine a trip to the white lions with a visit to the Cape wine lands.